Tofana di Mezzo Summit

Prior to arriving in Cortina we hadn't given any thought to how we would use our time there.  Fortunately for us, the summer ski lifts had opened just two or three days before and we opted to go to the top of La Tofana. We ended up spending nearly the entire day on the mountain and loved it.

To arrive at the top you take a series of three gondolas.  Our experience has been that when in the mountains it's usually clearer in the morning with clouds arriving at mid-day.  With that knowledge, we headed straight for the top and visited the lower levels on our way back down.  We made the right choice.  We were rewarded with amazing views.    

Chilling on the top deck

The upper tram has a big open deck overlooking Cortina and there are little trails you can take to get a full 360 degree look.  We also hiked to the summit where some alpinists were righting the big iron cross that had fallen during the winter.  From the cross the skies were so clear that you could see for miles and miles and mountain ridge after mountain ridge.  But even so, we could only see a portion of the AV1.  It was a little daunting when we realized just how far we would be hiking.  After exploring the summit, we dozed on the deck and enjoyed the warm sun before the clouds rolled in nice and thick.   

At that point we took the tram down to Ra Valles, the next level on the mountain.   We didn't spend much time here.  We stopped in at the little restaurant and realized it didn't have much to offer so we boarded the next tram down and got off at Col Drusciè.  Here there was a restaurant in the most picturesque setting and served incredible food.  Unexpectedly, this was probably one of the best meals we enjoyed while in the Dolomites.  Lee's still talking about the cheese and honey plate we ordered for an appetizer.  We eventually decided we needed to go back down the mountain to Cortina and get our ducks in a row for our nine days on the trail.  Lunch at Col Druscie

While we had the good fortune of having breakfast, lunch and dinner available the entire time we were on the AV1 - we were told that if we wanted anything to flavor up the rolls and prosciutto that would be our lunch for the next nine days, that we should pick up some condiments.   We followed that recommendation and were so very glad we did.  Even still, by day six I just couldn't do any more!  

That evening we packed our packs, acquired the last few essentials an walked around before calling it a night.   For us it was just the right amount of time in Cortina and we couldn't wait for the trek to start the following morning.

Pictures of our time in Cortina and the views from the top of le Tofane are here.